SCAMMERS SAVDHAN! #AAH

We recently did couple part video with ADG Vishwas Nangre Patil Sir, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Maharashtra Police. If you have not watched this already, please watch it right now, we have got so many messages, calls, emails saying that this video saved them from getting caught in a trap!

 

This video shows the entire MO (modus operandi)- the way scammers operate during a digital detention fake call. We hope that this will help you stay alert and not fall for these scams.

 

TIPS TO STAY SAFE FROM “DIGITAL DETENTION”

  • Treat every unknown number with a generous amount of skepticism
  • Do not answer a video call on WhatsApp from any unknown number. Not just digital interrogation, it can make you vulnerable to many other cybercrimes like extortion, blackmail
  • If you receive an IVR call from an alleged CBI/ ED/ Cybercrime cell, immediately hang up & report that number. High chances of it being a fraud
  • Police knows how to find you & serve you a notice when required
  • Anyone who begins to tell you details of your bank account details, share portfolio numbers is a huge red flag! Nobody outside of you & your bank should know these. Disconnect the call
  • If there is a call saying your parcel is lying at FedEx office with drugs, definitely disconnect and report to your local police station immediately. In several of these cases you as well as the concerned police officer could be a victim of identity theft which needs to be reported
  • You can fearlessly approach the cyber cell of your city or the closest police station to authenticate identity of the said officer who was attempting to digitally interrogate you
  • Children and elderly need special training not to panic at such calls under any circumstances. Any fear inducing calls must be immediately double checked
  • You can create safe words within family. When faced with such distress, it will help in verification by asking the fraudster to confirm the safe word
  • Under any circumstances, do not proceed to transfer your money to a neutral/ RBI account
  • Immediately instruct your bank that any suspicious activity must be curtailed
  • LIE! – Use every means possible to get out of the situation. If at all you happen to get forcefully engaged in the conversation, simply say that you know the said officer personally or even higher up and you will find out the details.
  • AI & deepfake have made it terribly simple to sound or look like another person. Even if the person on video looks like an officer you have seen in news media, don’t be scared. Hold your ground, refuse to entertain them.
  • Dial 1930 immediately. Reporting financial crimes within 48 hours of the incident hugely increase chances of securing your money & freezing the transfer of money to criminal’s account.

Special thanks to our friend Ranjeet Walunj for doing a great job of portraying this character seamlessly. We appreciate our circle of friends & well wishers who have always stepped up to support us in every way possible.

Stay Aware, Stay Safe.

Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!

 

CONTACT US:

Website: www.AkanchaSrivastava.Org

Email: TeamAkancha@gmail.com

Twitter: @AkanchaS

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ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

‘Akancha Srivastava Foundation’ leads India’s largest social impact initiative for cyber safety.  It was founded in February 2017. It’s a not-for-profit Section 8 organization.

Honorary Board of Advisors

Foundation’s advisory board hosts – Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chattisgarh), ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh), ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra), Dr Poonam Verma (Principal- SSCBS, Delhi University)

Mission of the Foundation

The initiative aims at Education, Empowerment & Bridging of general population with the authorities on matters of cyber safety. Foundation also conducts forensics training for law enforcement.